
At Telstra, we are committed to acting responsibly and being transparent and accountable, wherever we operate. As the world in which we operate evolves, our stakeholders expect more of us as a large, iconic Australian business. Amidst this constant change, our Purpose and Values anchor us and guide our actions.
While technological innovation and digital disruption have opened up new opportunities, they are also raising important questions about digital skills and access, the ethical and privacy implications of emerging technologies and the future of work. These questions make it more important than ever that we deliver our products and services fairly and ethically, and champion their responsible use.
When considering what it means to be a responsible business in the 2020s, it’s clear that how we do business is just as important as why we do it. Community trust in institutions reached a new low point at the end of the last decade and yet in a short space of time more and more corporates, like Telstra, are standing up on important issues, like climate change. In doing so, we are demonstrating we understand the expectations upon us and our responsibility to support the communities in which we operate.
Our people are essential to our success. This year our people have demonstrated incredible resilience, adaptability and dedication. Together we’ve been there for our customers, the community and each other during these unprecedented times. The willingness of our people to step up is a product of our culture, and our Purpose and Values that guide us. A culture founded on empowering our people by giving them the tools, capabilities and leadership they need to thrive.
As we look forward, our future prosperity will rely heavily on our ability to leverage the benefits of technological innovation like 5G, Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a more inclusive way, and in a way where we take greater accountability for our impact on others, on society and on the world in which we live.
For a detailed overview of our approach and performance in relation to this pillar of our strategy and related material topics, please see the Responsible Business chapter of our Bigger Picture 2020 Sustainability Report.